Reactions have emerged following the announcement by Marco Rubio, the newly sworn-in US Secretary of State, regarding a temporary halt on foreign aid grants for a period of 90 days. Here’s what we understand on day 1,068.
The United States has continued its military assistance to Ukraine despite the announcement from newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding a 90-day pause on foreign aid grants, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday. Zelenskyy did not specify if humanitarian aid was also affected. Ukraine depends on the U.S. for approximately 40% of its military support. “I am concentrating on military aid; it has not been halted, thank God,” he remarked during a press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine is prepared to supply coal to Moldova, which is facing an energy crisis following the cessation of Russian gas flows through Ukraine at the start of the year. Moldova has accused Russia of not providing gas through alternative routes. “Russia’s recent actions have created an energy crisis,” Sandu informed reporters. She noted that energy prices had surged in regions under her government’s control and were even higher in areas held by pro-Russian separatists, who rely on Russian energy and experience frequent power outages.
President Donald Trump could potentially realize his commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine, but only if Kyiv is included in any negotiations, Zelenskyy asserted on Saturday. He added that the conditions of any agreement that might emerge under Trump remain ambiguous—possibly even to Trump himself—since Russian President Vladimir Putin appears uninterested in concluding the war. Putin has expressed his willingness for negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict with Trump and suggested that a meeting would be beneficial.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that both Europe and the United States would participate in any discussions aimed at resolving the war. He emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in any negotiations for them to be effective. “Regarding the composition of the talks: I sincerely hope Ukraine will be present, along with America, Europe, and the Russians,” Zelenskyy stated, later noting that no specific framework had yet been established.
In Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico has dismissed calls for his resignation following widespread protests against his government’s shift towards Russia. Approximately 60,000 people gathered in the capital, Bratislava, on Friday, with around 100,000 participating in demonstrations across the country—the largest protests since Fico returned to office in 2023.
On Saturday, shelling in the Russian-occupied Kherson region of Ukraine resulted in the deaths of three civilians, according to Moscow-appointed governor Vladimir Saldo. He urged residents of Oleshky, located near the frontline in southern Ukraine, to remain indoors or seek shelter.
Overnight on Saturday, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine using two missiles and 61 Shahed drones, according to officials. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted both missiles and 46 drones, as reported by the air force. An additional 15 drones were thwarted by Ukrainian countermeasures before reaching their targets, causing damage in the Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Khmelnytskyi regions.
Furthermore, Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region with drones, leading to casualties and damage, as reported by local officials on Saturday. Drones struck the Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, and Kholodnohirskyi districts of the city, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. He indicated that the number of injured was still being assessed, while Kharkiv’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, reported that three individuals—two women and a man—were hurt in the drone strikes.